Saanich news … through the decades

Editor’s note: The News is taking a regular look through our archives to remind readers what was making history 10, 20 and 25 years ago. To share memories of any of these moments, email editor@saanichnews.com with “Through the decades” in the subject line.

10 years ago … Saanich Parks and Saanich Police Department raised alarm bells after several elm, maple, arbutus and fruit trees were poisoned along a stretch of Gorge Road West. Saanich Parks manager Ray Roer said municipal staff would make a point of reporting all suspected poisoned tree cases to police under a new policy, in hopes of catching the mischievous suspects.

20 years ago … The 20th Commonwealth Games was in full swing as 398 Canadian athletes competed during the 10-day event, held at venues across Greater Victoria including Centennial Stadium, McKinnon gym, Juan de Fuca fields and Saanich Commonwealth Place. … the Mount Tolmie Community Association and Gordon Head residents successfully fought off plans by the District of Saanich to allow temporary parking at Horner Park for Commonwealth Games attendees. The group managed to get a B.C. Supreme Court injunction preventing the municipality from removing posts or building a ramp to allow for vehicle parking.

25 years ago … After a 12-year journey, NASA’s Voyager II spacecraft reached Neptune, much to the amazement of astrophysicist Chris Aikman at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Saanich. Aikman and other astrophysicists were on hand at the Royal B.C. Museum’s Newcombe Theatre, where live images of the pass-by were broadcast for the public.

“This will be the last time for this kind of opportunity in many, many years,” Aikman told the News on Aug. 16, 1989. It appears he was right.